A massive rescue operation is underway in Nairobi's Eastleigh estate after an 18-storey building under construction collapsed on Friday afternoon, leaving an unknown number of people feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, located along 1st Avenue, 9th Street, came crashing down at around 1pm, triggering panic in the busy commercial neighbourhood as emergency teams raced to search for survivors.
Nairobi police boss Issa Mohammud said one woman had been pulled alive from the wreckage by Friday evening and rushed to hospital for treatment.
However, the number of people still trapped remains unclear, with rescuers battling through tonnes of concrete and twisted metal in a desperate search for survivors.
Police officers earlier fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of onlookers who had crowded the scene, blocking access roads and frustrating rescue efforts.
Officers also moved to prevent the looting of nearby shops amid the confusion.
Mohammud ordered members of the public to leave the area and allow emergency responders enough space to carry out their work.
Speaking earlier, the police commander acknowledged that authorities were still establishing the full extent of the disaster.
"We are waiting for more information as the responders rush to save lives," he said.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also visited the scene as county emergency teams, police officers and other government agencies coordinated the rescue operation.
In a statement issued at 2pm, Nairobi City County confirmed that the building was still under construction, although its ground floor was already occupied.
"Rescue teams are assessing the scene and conducting search and rescue operations amid reports that people may be trapped beneath the rubble," the county said.
Heavy machinery has since been deployed to clear debris and help rescuers access areas where victims may be trapped.
County officials also confirmed that additional emergency resources were being mobilized to support the operation.
The collapse brought activity along the busy street to a standstill, with traders, residents and motorists caught up in the emergency response.
Questions are now emerging over the safety of the structure and how its ground floor was occupied while construction continued.
The cause of the collapse has not been established, while authorities are yet to confirm the total number of casualties.
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